Helena Santos entered the U.S. though the Mexican border in 2005. Years later she married an American citizen. They now have three children together. Helena’s husband took her to an immigration lawyer in order make her legal in the United States. To his surprise, he was told that because she entered the U.S. without a proper inspection, she could not receive her legal status in the U.S. She would have to go home to her country of birth, Brazil for the interview. As further complication, the lawyer informed the husband that his wife would not be able to return to the U.S. unless she remained out for 10 years. Devastated, the couple continued their search for an immigration attorney that could help them. They finally found one such attorney who explained to them that there is a special waiver called a 601A waiver, that would allow the wife to leave the U.S. for an interview and return a few weeks later with legal papers.

According to Moses Apsan, Esq., past president for the Federal Bar Association for the New Jersey chapter, practicing in the field of U.S. immigration laws for the past 35 years, “there is a waiver called a Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver (601A) that has helped thousands of families since it was created in March 4, 2013.” As Attorney Apsan explains, “You can get legal status if you entered Illegally and married a U.S. Citizen or a Green Card Holder or you are the son or daughter of a lawful permanent resident, even, in some cases, if you were ordered deported.”

Since 1997, the immigration laws became very strict, requiring spouses and children of U.S. citizens and legal residents who entered the U.S. illegaly, to journey abroad and have an interview at the U.S. consulate, before they are permitted to return to the U.S. Prior to returning, they would request from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a 601 waiver of inadmissibility. Without a grant of of this waiver, the applicant would not be allowed return to the U.S. for a period of no less than three years. In most cases they are barred for 10 years. Even though they were entitled to apply for the waiver, they had to wait out of the U.S. until the waiver was granted, separating families for months and at times, years.

In March of 2013, a new provisional illegal presence waiver (I-601A) was approved by executive order. The primary difference between the old 601 waiver and the new 601A waiver is that the application can be made while the undocumented immigrant remains in the U.S.

The waiver procedure now permits eligible people to apply for a provisional unlawful presence waiver while they remain in the U.S. and before they travel for immigrant visa interview overseas.

According to Moses Apsan, “once the waiver is approved and an interview is scheduled, you can be on your way back to the U.S. in as little as 3 weeks. Approximately 30 days later they arrive, the Green Card (legal residency status document), is received in the mail. The nightmare of being separated, is no longer a threat.”

Press Release

Washington - new.jornal.us press release- The Department of Homeland Security has officially enacted a provision to make it easier for immigrant entrepreneurs to build startups in the U.S. The rule, proposed by President Barack Obama last summer, takes effect exactly one week before he leaves the Oval Office.

Yesterday, April 13, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released an advance copy of the final international entrepreneur rule. It will be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, January 17, 2017, and is scheduled to go into effect 180 days from the date of publication. However, it is possible that Congress and/or President-elect Trump could take steps before then to prevent the rule from being implemented.

The rule was proposed as a workaround for foreign entrepreneurs after Congress was unsuccessful in passing any substantive immigration reform. Today there isn’t an appropriate way for business entrepreneurs from other countries to establish companies in the U.S. This is due to the inherent problems associated with business visas, like the H1B, which only apply to skilled employees, not startup founders.

Congress did create the EB-5 Program in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. In 1992, Congress created the Immigrant Investor Program, also known as the Regional Center Program. This sets aside EB-5 visas for participants who invest in commercial enterprises associated with regional centers approved by USCIS based on proposals for promoting economic growth. However its requirements are cumbersome and difficult to reach for smaller companies.

Under this program, entrepreneurs are eligible to apply for a green card (permanent residence) if they:

1. Make the necessary investment in a commercial enterprise in the United States;

2. Such investments are a minimum of $500,000 in an underprivileged area or $1,000,000 for other commercial areas.

3. And plans to create or preserve 10 permanent full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers.

Under the new rules, investors would receive an initial parole of 2.5 years, followed by an extended period of 2.5 additional years. The rule requires startups to have investments of at $250,000. The official rule also gives entrepreneurs more time to land funding — 18 months instead of one year.

To qualify, the founder

1. Has to prove that the startup met certain requirements and demonstrated the potential for “significant public benefit.”

2. The entrepreneurs need to own 10 percent of the startup to qualify for the initial parole period. To re-apply for an additional 2.5 years, founders just need 5 percent ownership.

3. A startup has to generate at least 5 jobs during the initial 2.5-year parole period to qualify for an extension.

Generally speaking, the final rule loosens up on a number of benchmarks necessary to qualify for the parole, responding to criticism that the proposed requirements were too restrictive. It allows for startups to use “alternative criteria” to demonstrate they’ll benefit the U.S. economy. The final rule also has more relaxed requirements for qualified investments, qualified investors and startup entities.

More precise information will be forthcoming prior to going in effect in the 180 days.

WASHINGTON— The intense political fight that would affect millions of people who are in the United States illegally arrives to the Supreme Court on Monday.

The court will decide the destiny of Obama executive orders that would protect more than 4 million people from deportation and allow them the right to hold a job. With this decision, millions of people would not only be able to work legally in the U.S., but also would have the ability to obtain a social security card and even be able to travel out of the U.S.

Roberto Silva, a Brazilian immigrant, living in the U.S. for more than 15 years states that "I need a social security card and a work permit in order to take care of my wife and 3 children born in the U.S. My youngest is autistic and requires special schooling that I cannot afford. We are fighting a losing battle with the amount of money I earn. My wife also can’t work and has to take care of our children. Our lives are in constant stress, Silva said.

The executive order pronounced by President Barack Obama in November 2014 applies to parents of children that are citizens or are legal permanent residents. The order would also expand the president's 2012 program called “DACA.”s. More than 700,000 young people have taken advantage of the program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

Texas and 25 other states sued to prevent the new plans soon as soon as they were announced, Federal courts have decided in their favor. The programs barely commenced when it was stopped suddenly. Now its up to the Supreme Court to make the final decision on a crucial immigration problem.

House Republicans say that Obama is asserting the power "to decree that millions of individuals may live, work and receive benefits in this country even though federal statutes plainly prohibit them from doing so."

The administration and immigration advocates, on the other hand, say the immigration orders are neither unprecedented nor even unusual. Instead, they say, that Obama's executive order build on past efforts by both the Democratic and Republican administrations to use discretion in deciding whom to deport.

Moses Apsan, immigration attorney and past president of the Federal Bar Association, stated that “ the debate has taken on a heavy partisan complexion, Republicans repeatedly describe Obama as recklessly abusing his executive powers. This opinion is untrue. Obama not only acted lawfully, but the order was what our country needed. The illegal immigration issue has thwarted Congress for decades, and there’s no indication that lawmakers will be able to settle on a realistic plan anytime soon. This delay has had a human toll: Living with fear, immigrants are prone to be exploited Even if they are victims of a crime, they are less likely to ask police for assistance. Obama’s executive orders would give these immigrants; those that entered as children, as well as the parents of lawful US residents, the facility to come out of the shadows and truly live the American Dream.”

April 15, 2015 - NYC - The Art and Fashion Design Club at FIT is hosting a Premier Fashion Runway show at 6 p. m. April 16, 2015 in the Great Hall.

Twenty-five creative young fashion designers will showcase their talents and cutting-edge designs

Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is a internationally prominent college of design, fashion, art, communications, and business. Fit's stated mission is to prepare students for professional excellence in design and business. The teaching staff at FIT assists in the student's in developing innovative design and strategic business solutions that will create personal and professional opportunity. This effort focuses on creativity and experimentation that is the foundation for a successful design.

This year, about 25 student designers will have their creation highlighted in this runway event.

Stephanie Ali, president and Veronica Apsan, vice president of the Art and Fashion Design Club will serve as master of ceremonies for the late afternoon show. This year's theme is Kabuki meets La Belle Époque; which corresponds to the college's desire for students to cross traditional boundaries of both geography and disciplines.

Perhaps a unique aspect of the show is that it produced solely by students and faculty of the Art and Fashion Programs. Every facet of the show from Poster design to the choreography of the models is orchestrated by members of the Art and Fashion Design Club.

Two FIT mentors and a Brazilian Fashion Designer will serve as judges:

Legendary designer George Simonton a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Known for using fabulous fabrics, sophisticated silhouettes, and distinctive details, and

Fashion Designer and Full-Time Professor and the Head Designer/Owner at Christopher Uvenio Collezioni, and author of the cutting edge and fashionable, christopheruveniodesign.blogspot.com; and

Brazilian Fashion Designer Simone Rodrigues. Her Designs are inspired by nature and rendered in warm tones focused on accentuating a womans unique beauty and sensuality with classic elegance regardless of age or size.

What: FIT's first student Fashion Runway Show

When: Thursday, April 16, 2015

Where: The Great Hall

Fashion Institute of Technology

Seventh Avenue at 27 Street

New York City

For more info contact: the Vice President of the Club: Veronica Apsan on Facebook

APRIL 14, 2014 - The Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law is sending today a letter to President Obama in response to his request to the Department of Homeland Security on how to slow deportations. We do not believe asking for "Deferred Action Status" is enough. Our letter explains how aside from granting Deferred Action Status (temporary status) to the largest possible group of immigrants, the President could also, with no change in federal laws, grant lawful permanent resident status possibly to as many as two million immigrants -- without requiring any action by Congress. The letter to Obama may also be downloaded here .

We urge all advocates to review the Center's letter and to send similar or supportive letters to the President, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Attorney General, with copies to all other principle aides and principle lawyers listed below. A complete list of names and addresses of officials who should receive letters from the community, unions, faith-based groups, city and county councils, CEOs, etc. is at the end of this email . With "comprehensive" immigration reform in Congress going nowhere, it's imperative that as many concerned groups and individuals as possible send letters at this critical time urging that the types of changes suggested in our letter be adopted now.

As you know, in response to political pressure by immigrant advocates, President Obama recently ordered the Department of Homeland Security to come up with recommendations on how to slow deportations of immigrants with special equities through an expansion of the Deferred Action Status program, the same status the administration recently extended to several hundred thousand DACA immigrants who were brought here by their parents as children and attended school here.

In the Center's six-page letter sent to President Obama, DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson, and Attorney General Eric Holder, we make clear that the administration has the authority to grant Deferred Action Status to as many as two million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. with approved visa petitions. The letter points out that these immigrants are already "in the system" as they are named in employment or family based visa petitions that have been approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. The government therefore already knows their names, addresses, social security numbers, criminal histories, and other personal data. These immigrants very rarely self-deport and are highly unlikely to ever be apprehended or deported.

Despite the fact that approximately two million of these immigrants have approved visa petitions, they are unable to become lawful permanent residents because they entered the U.S. long ago without inspection and therefore cannot adjust their status here but must travel to a U.S. consulate abroad to seek lawful permanent resident status. However, very few do so because in 1996 Congress enacted a so-called 10-year bar which states that an immigrant required to leave the country to process his or her permanent resident visa abroad who has lived in the U.S. for more than one year in unauthorized status must remain outside the U.S. for 10 years before becoming eligible for permanent resident status. While some immigrants are eligible for waivers of the 10-year bar, these are rarely granted as the immigrant must prove that denying the waiver would cause extreme hardship to a U.S. citizen petitioner, something most immigrants cannot prove. The result, we argue, is that the vast majority of these immigrants with approved visa petitions, as many as two million, simply continue to live in the U.S. in undocumented status.

Our letter urges President Obama to grant this population Deferred Action Status (DAS), which then allows them to apply for "advance parole" (routinely granted to people on DAS) with which they can briefly travel to their home countries to visit relatives and then reenter the country lawfully on "parole" status. Once they reenter the U.S. lawfully on parole status, they become eligible to apply for lawful permanent resident status in the U.S. without having to leave to have their status adjusted by a U.S. consulate abroad. The 10-year bar does not apply to immigrants who can adjust their status in the United States, only to those who must go abroad for processing at a U.S. consulate.

We argue that "following this administrative approach, President Obama could legally and without the involvement of Congress promptly extend lawful permanent resident status to about two million currently undocumented immigrants who mostly are long term residents of the U.S. and have unique skills that allowed them to obtain employment-related approved visa petitions or immediate family members here that allowed them to obtain family-based approved visa petitions." In addition, current regulations require that thousands of immigrants with outstanding deportation orders who have become eligible to adjust their status must "reopen" their deportation cases to have an Immigration Judge adjudicate their adjustment applications but the vast majority cannot reopen their cases because of strict time limits to do so. Amending this regulation to allow USCIS to handle these applications would permit thousands of immigrants to now be granted lawful permanent resident status.

The letter charges that administrative policies over the past six years have "caused the deportation of hundreds of thousands of immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, resulted in tens of thousands of criminal convictions of persons for no more than entry without inspection (making it difficult to impossible for these migrants to ever legalize their status in the future), resulted in hundreds of thousands of migrants being fired from stable jobs (through "worksite enforcement" that largely misses sweatshops) forcing them to turn to sweatshops and unscrupulous employers to find work (less than 1% leave the U.S.), discouraged thousands of immigrants from reporting serious crimes for fear of exposure to deportation, [and] incarcerated more immigrants than ever before at enormous cost to the public and for no sound public safety reasons ..." We argue that by now "it should be clear that these policies have done nothing to advance the goal of comprehensive immigration reform."

The letter also recommends that the largest number of immigrants possible be granted Deferred Action Status even if they are not eligible for adjustment of status under existing law. We also identify about six sub-groups of immigrants with long-term residence and unique equities who should obviously qualify for DAS, including for example, the parents of U.S. citizen children who are unable to petition for lawful permanent resident status until their children turn 21 years of age, unaccompanied abused and abandoned children, the parents of children and youth already granted Deferred Action Status by the administration, etc.. We point out that "granting immigrants Deferred Action Status and temporary employment authorization would immediately benefit U.S. workers by removing the incentive of unscrupulous employers to hire undocumented migrants over equally or better qualified US citizens."

Regarding immigrants with closed deportation cases who are now eligible one way or the other for permanent resident status but cannot get their deportation cases reopened because of time limits on doing so, we point out that Obama could easily amend the regulations to allow the USCIS (instead of Immigration Judges) process these applications for LPR status and this would legalize thousands more people.

We explain why Operation Streamline is a reactionary program that has turned tens of thousands of immigrants into "criminals" merely based upon unauthorized entry, blocking them from legalizing their status in the future, and provide proposals that would reduce border violence and deaths, and reduce ICE involvement with local police which clearly discourages immigrants from reporting crimes.

We hope this letter helps spark a debate that goes beyond Deferred Action Status to include ways to get people lawful permanent resident status now without needing any involvement by the Congress. We have a range of separate ideas on what Congress could be doing that we'll circulated separately fairly soon. For the next few weeks, we urge groups to focus on what President Obama and his team could accomplish if they have the political will to do so.

As mentioned above, the officials to write to are listed below with addresses. It is critically important that groups and individuals concerned with the abysmal failure of current immigration policy PROMPTLY communicate their views to the President that NOW is the time for the Administration to show leadership and put its political capital where its mouth has been on immigration reform . Letters can be short or long. But now is the time to act while the Administration has these issues under serious consideration and before they make decisions. Thanks.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"Marriage fraud is a federal crime, and can have grave consequences," said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent Todd Siegel. Siegel, who works in HSI’s Identity and Benefit Fraud Unit, said, "Marriage fraud is neither a trivial nor victimless crime."

Marriage fraud poses a national security threat, damages the integrity of the U.S. immigration system and endangers U.S. citizens who enter into these fake unions.

The 9/11 and Terrorist Travel Staff Report of the National Commission on Terrorists Attacks upon the United States, cites a U.S. Government intelligence report that stated that Abu Zubaydah, who was arrested in Pakistan in March 2002 and held in Guantanamo Bay "said that some of the al Qaeda operatives married American women to obtain U.S. visas." The report also stated that Khalid Sheikh Mohamed (KSM), the principal architect of 9/11, "believed it was a fantastic mechanism for operatives to acquire valid documents."

To help educate the public on the dangers of marriage fraud, Siegel is spearheading an HSI nationwide campaign, which began last year, to stop marriage fraud. A massive push of training, print materials, posters and social media is designed to inform U.S. citizens about the dangers of marriage fraud. HSI is alerting partner organizations of current trends and concerns, raising awareness and spreading the word to deter individuals from getting married under false pretenses. HSI’s message is that U.S. citizenship, the most valuable benefit offered by this country, is not for sale and there are consequences for those who commit this crime.

What is marriage fraud? Basically, it’s when a foreign national and a U.S. citizen get married, not to establish a life together, but as a means for the foreign national to remain in the United States indefinitely. The goal of a foreign national who commits marriage fraud is to become a lawful permanent resident and ultimately, a U.S. citizen. Foreign nationals who marry U.S. citizens do not have to wait for a visa, and after a 2-year conditional period there are no restrictions on status. Additionally, marriage fraud is one of the shortest pathways to U.S. citizenship, which can be granted after only three years of lawful permanent resident status.

Obtaining that status (commonly referred to as a "green card") opens a lot of doors. It allows freedom of movement within the United States – and the unfettered ability to travel abroad and return freely. It authorizes employment and provides access to government buildings, bank accounts and businesses. Moreover, attaining U.S. citizenship by fraudulent means allows opportunities for nefarious individuals to harm the United States.

In some cases, a foreign national dupes a U.S. citizen into marriage by professing true love. In other cases, the U.S. citizen is in on the scam, accepting payment as part of the deception. The "couple" usually plan to get divorced later, believing no one will be the wiser. Even more blatant is when facilitators are involved, who for a fee, find U.S. citizens willing to enter into marriage fraud schemes. In some cases, facilitators fill out necessary paperwork and also prepare the participants for their in-person interview(s) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officials.

Wedded bliss is not the outcome for U.S. citizens who are either duped into marriage fraud or voluntarily say "I do" under false pretenses. The marriage can become abusive in many ways, including physically, financially and/or emotionally. Additionally, marriage fraud comes with the potential ramifications of legal proceedings, financial penalties and prison sentences.

County clerks, the officials who issue marriage licenses in most states, understand more than most the magnitude of this issue. The National Association of County Recorders, Election Officials and Clerks and its members are key partners in HSI’s efforts to thwart this serious crime.

The bottom line is that there are serious consequences for those associated with sham marriages. For more information on marriage fraud visit ICE.gov.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423 or complete our tip form.

Kitchen & Beyond Corp Makes its mark in the kitchen cabinets Industry by fullfiiling a much needed new approach to the old problem of purchasing custom cabinets.

It's a popular belief that in order to have perfect fitting cabinets, you have to spend thousands of dollars by hiring designers and creating the cabinets from scratch.

At Kitchen & Beyond Corp our Master Cabinet Makers can reduce the cost of custom cabinets by altering any stock Cabinet, changiing the color and look into a masterpiece.

Kitchen & Beyond can do most anything you can imagine, from adding larger appliances, rollout trays, lazy susans and much more. With the artful skill obtained after years of Cabinet building, Kitchen & Beyond can merge old and new cabinets into one uniform look.

((Tommy Cruz, recognized Master Cabinet Maker)) tells us that " We are concerned with the final look and feel, that is why we only use the highest quality products. Our superior finishes, including pigment and dye stains, glazes and opaque and clear finishes all surpass the standards established by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA). Most importantly we can transform your outdated cabinets or newly purchased ones,into modern sophisticated elegance, and we provide expert installation every time"

"Our company is based on the belief that satisfying our customers' needs is our primary concern. Our entire team is dedicated to meeting those needs. As a result, a high percentage of our business comes from repeat customers and referrals."

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has approved the statutory maximum 10,000 petitions for U-1 nonimmigrant status (U visas) for fiscal year 2014. This marks the fifth straight year that USCIS has reached the statutory maximum since it began issuing U visas in 2008.

Each year, 10,000 U visas are available for victims of certain qualifying crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are willing to help law enforcement authorities investigate or prosecute those crimes. A U visa petition requires certification of assistance from law enforcement.

Congress created the U visa program to strengthen the law enforcement community’s ability to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes, while also offering protection to victims. More than 89,600 victims and their family members have received U visas since the program was implemented in 2008.

Though USCIS has reached its statutory cap of 10,000 U visas, it will continue to review pending petitions for eligibility. USCIS will send a letter to all eligible petitioners who, due solely to the cap, are not granted U-1 visas, notifying them that they are on a waiting list to receive a U visa when visas again become available and what options they have in the interim. Petitioners and qualifying family members must continue to meet eligibility requirements at the time the U visa is issued.

USCIS will resume issuing U visas on Oct. 1, 2014, the first day of fiscal year 2015, when visas become available again.

Federal agents arrested yesterday Bryan D’Antonio, 47, of Brea, Calif., and Charles Wayne Farris, 53, of Aliso Viejo, Calif., for operating the Rodis Law Group and America’s Law Group, businesses that allegedly offered bogus loan modification assistance to struggling homeowners. Attorney Ronald Rodis, 49, of Irvine, Calif., surrendered today to federal agents on charges alleging that he participated in, and lent his name and the law license he formerly possessed to, the fraudulent operation. All three defendants were named in a federal indictment unsealed yesterday following an investigation by the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation.

According to the indictment, as a result of the scheme run by D’Antonio, Farris and Rodis, more than 1,800 financially distressed homeowners lost a total of at least $12 million in fees they paid to the companies. Many homeowners also lost their homes to foreclosure. During a nine month period that began in October 2008, the Rodis Law Group and America’s Law Group allegedly defrauded distressed homeowners by making false promises and guarantees regarding the companies’ ability to negotiate loan modifications from the homeowners’ mortgage lenders, falsely representing that a “team of attorneys” would represent the homeowners and advising homeowners to cease making their mortgage payments.

“These arrests send a strong message to those who would prey on vulnerable homeowners during these tough financial times,” said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Division Stuart F. Delery. “If you defraud homeowners, you will be found and brought to justice.”

The Rodis Law Group, and its successor company, America’s Law Group, allegedly advertised loan modification assistance on radio stations nationwide. According to the indictment, many of these radio advertisements featured Rodis’ voice telling homeowners that a “team of experienced attorneys,” who were “highly skilled in negotiating lower interest rates and even lowering your principal balance,” would negotiate with mortgage lenders. Sales staff hired and trained by Farris and D’Antonio allegedly told interested homeowners that Rodis Law Group was “100% successful,” “routinely lowered monthly payments” and obtained reduced principal balances. According to the indictment, once the defendants and their co-conspirators convinced homeowners to pay a fee of several thousand dollars, little to no effort was made to obtain loan modifications. After making their payments, homeowners who tried to get updates on the status of their cases were often unable to contact anyone at either company.

The indictment further alleges that D’Antonio committed these crimes after having been convicted of mail and wire fraud for his role in a previous telemarketing scheme. The previous scheme resulted in a civil case by the Federal Trade Commission and ultimately a court order, entered in 2001, which permanently banned D’Antonio from participating in future telemarketing operations. The indictment in this case alleges that D’Antonio committed criminal contempt of court by directing the telemarketing activities of Rodis Law Group and America’s Law Group and by misrepresenting the services they provided.

“Posing as successful lawyers, these defendants offered struggling homeowners false hopes and bogus promises of quality legal representation,” said U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California André Birotte Jr. “The market offering loan modifications is rife with fraud, which is why we have redoubled our efforts to investigate and prosecute those who engage in financial crimes that target distressed homeowners.”

“The unconscionable act of scamming homeowners already facing foreclosure is far too common,” said Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office Bill Lewis. “This indictment should send a clear message to anyone contemplating similar crimes, and should also remind potential victims to be cautious before paying fees to those offering financial rescue, regardless of whether the solicitor holds a law degree.”

D’Antonio, Farris and Rodis are each charged with 10 felony counts – nine counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy. Each of these counts carries a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment. In addition, D’Antonio is charged with 13 counts of criminal contempt for violating the 2001 court order. Criminal contempt of court has no statutory maximum penalty.

This indictment was brought in coordination with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force’s Mortgage Fraud Working Group. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed nearly 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants including more than 2,900 mortgage fraud defendants. For more information on the task force, please visit www.StopFraud.gov .

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

This Sunday, October 13, 2013, after 4 p.m., Café Athens, blocks from Astoria's 30th Avenue subway station, will host its first Brazilian Night, which will include Brazil’s national dish, Feijoada, Samba music and Brazilian Soccer.

Café Athens located at 3207 30th Avenue, uniquely situated on its own triangular block in the heart of Astoria, serves as a gateway into the dynamic neighborhood. During warm weather it’s the sidewalk café scene is what makes Café Astoria one of the most desirable spot in Astoria. Rows of tiny tables fill the triangular block with chattering, smoking, scene-stealing Astorians, along with their dogs, children, and babies in strollers, occupy every corner while local groups congregate to drink wine and exchange stories, greeting neighbors or simply sipping an espresso while watching the people walk by.

This Sunday begins a new Café Athens tradition, Brazilian Night with the help of a Brazilian chef preparing the most famous Brazilian dish, feijoada, a recipe of bean stew with rice and pork meat garnished with “farofa” (mandioca, a root from the rainforest, mixed with maize flour and oil. And of course, no feijoada meal is complete without a Leblon’s Perfect caipirinhato drink. The Caipirinha is the national cocktail from Brazil prepared from fresh lime, natural sugar, and mixed with Cachaça and ice,

Savor the Feijoada while Turma do Samba, an authentic Brazilian samba group plays. Samba is one of the most popular music styles in Brazil. Since it’s beginning, samba has spread through out the world with its unique and contagious rhythm that expresses so well the very nature of Brazilian culture.

Along with large Screen TV’s showing live Brazilian Soccer games, this Sunday’s event at Astoria Café is one not to be missed. Join us.

Feijoada dinner is $15 a plate and the Leblon Perfect caipirinha is $8 a serving.